Branson Courier

Month: September 2006

  • At least ten things that the Ole Seagull is positive about!

    1. He is positive that everything he writes in this column is positively only his opinion. He’s positive that’s why the column is on the opinion page and not published as a news article elsewhere in the paper.

    2. He is positive that if people don’t turn out for the Branson Board of Aldermen’s meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Sep. 25, and express their opinion, that the board will act on the planning and zoning changes for the erection of a 300 foot, 25 story cement and glass “symbol” to the “New Branson,” located at the very gateway to Branson, without their opinion being heard. He is positive that some believe it is “an affront to anyone with respect for the land,” that it is not consistent with “maintaining the quality and beauty of our areas landscape,” or the “natural beauty of this area” that is so “extremely important to our tourists and residents and must be protected if we are to continue to be a top tourist destination.” He is positive that he agrees with those statements.

    3. He is positive that the increased tourism figures reported for the first six months of this year had more to do with the marketing strategy that the City of Branson and the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce put into effect about two years ago than either Branson Landing or the convention center combined. He is positive that Branson Landing was not open for the vast majority of the first six months of this year and that the convention center has not yet opened.

    4. An Ole Seagull is positive that if this marketing approach, adequately funded, is continued for the next few years, that it will bring more visitors to Branson than Branson Landing, the convention center, and the “New Branson” combined. That is if Branson’s current potential visitors don’t get conflicting marketing messages and marketing funds are not diverted in an attempt to specifically develop the new “higher class” Gucci, Prada or Armani market that the “New Branson” and its $400,000 plus condos, appear to be fixated on.

    5. He is positive that Branson’s City Administrator, Terry Dody, said, “The city council is directing that $500,000 of the Tourism Tax be available for out-of-market marketing for the community’s convention center. All expenses to operate the convention center, including marketing, will be paid from convention center revenues or the city’s general fund.” He is also positive that if in fact the $500,000 for marketing is coming from the “Tourism Tax,” as Dody says, then it is impossible for it to be coming from either “the convention center revenues or the city’s general fund.”

    6. An Ole Seagull is positive, based the wording of the enabling legislation for the District Tourism Tax, administered by the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District and the understanding of the tourism industry that helped pass the City’s Tourism Tax, that the arbitrary confiscation and use of a substantial portion of that tax, by the City of Branson, to specifically promote the community’s convention center, without the advice and consent of that industry, although, legal, is morally and ethically bankrupt.

    7. The Ole Seagull is positive that political and financial compromises are necessary to operate a school district as large as the Branson School District. He is positive that the Branson School Board had their priorities right when they made the decision, based on the resources available at the time, to build classrooms for the districts students rather than a “locker room.”

    8. The Ole Seagull is positive that there is more traffic using Highway 76, between its junction with Fall Creek Road and the Hollywood Wax Museum, on a daily basis, than there is using Branson Landing Boulevard. He is positive that it is safer for pedestrians crossing Branson Landing Boulevard than it is for pedestrians trying to cross Highway 76 between its junction with Fall Creek Road and the Hollywood Wax Museum.

    9. He is positive that the public perception of a lot of people in Branson is that currently, and for the last few years, the emphasis of the City of Branson, has been on the “New Branson,” being built east of the tracks along Branson Boulevard, and in the Branson Hills area, rather than the other areas of Branson that are generating the revenues that are currently paying Branson’s bills. How many stop lights and pedestrian crossings are there on Branson Landing Boulevard? How many on Highway 76 between its junction with Fall Creek Road and the Hollywood Wax Museum?

    10. He is positive that his opinions are but his own opinions, could be wrong, and that there will be both those who agree and disagree with them. He is also positive that the hundreds of published columns he has written, a lot of which are available on the internet at www.bransoncourier.com, will testify as to his personal belief in the truth of that which he writes and the facts supporting those beliefs. He writes with the full faith that his readers know that they are reading the opinion of one old man who, in terms of local clout and politics, is but “a lowly seagull walking along after the horse in the parade picking at the droppings,” will evaluate what they are reading in terms of what they know and believe to be true, and will then make their own decisions.

  • It’s about respect, intent, integrity and ethics not the legalistic and $500,000!

    Over the last couple of weeks various people have indicated that Branson City Administrator, Terry Dody, has said words to the effect that the city of Branson will be using $500,000 of the City Tourism Tax, collected by theatres, lodging, attractions, and restaurants, to specifically market the new convention center. That appeared to fly in the face of the original intent of the tax and the public’s perception of what they were told would not happen as the plans for the convention center were being developed.

    On Sep. 11, the Ole Seagull sent an email regarding the situation to Dody. On Sep. 14, in response to that email, among other things Dody said, “The Tourism Tax is not paid by theaters, attractions, etc. It is a pass through tax that they are required to collect from consumers and then remit to the city. How it is spent by the city is established by the enabling legislation. The city council is directing that $500,000 of the Tourism Tax be available for out-of-market marketing for the community’s convention center.”

    For what it matters, in the opinion of an Ole Seagull, respect, intent, integrity, trust, and ethics aside, this time, in terms of pure legality, and looking at the City Tourism Tax in a vacuum with no history, he is one hundred percent right. But the City Tourism Tax wasn’t conceived in a vacuum.

    Someone didn’t wake up one morning in the early 1990’s and say, “We’ve got nothing else to do today so let’s go out and pass a tax.” It didn’t get from conception to birth without the full support of Branson’s theaters, attractions, hotels, motels, and restaurants, working with the city of Branson to get the funding necessary to meet their mutual needs.

    The city of Branson was in desperate need of funding to meet the infrastructure costs of its spurting growth. Branson’s tourism industry needed marketing funds to maintain and grow the economic foundation that caused that growth, tourism. In a spirit of cooperation, respect, and trust they crafted legislation for a tax that dedicated the lions share, 75 percent to the city of Branson to meet its infrastructure needs and 25 percent to meet the marketing tourism needs of Branson’s tourism industry. In that same spirit, they worked together to get the legislation passed and the approved by the voters, initially and again after it was declared unconstitutional by Missouri’s Supreme Court in the mid 1990’s.

    It’s probably not too much of an exaggeration to state that without the full support and involvement of Branson’s tourism industry, and particularly its political clout, there would be no City Tourism Tax. Is there a reasonable person that can believe that the support of Branson’s tourism industry would have been forth coming if there was even an inclination that the city of Branson, at some time in the future, in addition to the 75 percent of the tax for infrastructure would, arbitrarily appropriate 20 percent or more of the portion of the tax dedicated to tourism marketing for its own use? Even worse, do it without at least the advice, if not the consent, of the very tourism industry that the tax was designed to help and that was so instrumental in getting passed?

    There is little doubt in an Ole Seagull’s aging mind that the marketing portion of the City Tourism Tax was developed and supported by Branson’s tourism industry to be used to promote Branson as a tourism destination for the benefit of Branson’s total tourism industry. It clearly was not the intent to have a significant portion of those funds specifically appropriated for the benefit of any particular theatre, lodging facility, attraction, restaurant or even “the community’s convention center.” That said however, from a pure legal point of view, the arbitrary action of the city of Branson in confiscating over 20 percent of the community’s marketing portion of the City Tourism Tax is legal.

    To an Ole Seagull however, the question is one of respect, morality, and ethics rather than legal. Legally, Branson’s elected leaders, and its unelected leader, also have the capability to insure that the 25 percent of the City Tourism Tax set aside for tourism marketing is used in a manner consistent with the spirit and intent of those who worked so hard to initiate and get the tax put in place. The only question is whether or not they have enough respect for the very tourism industry that enabled the tax and provides the source of its revenues and the integrity and ethics to do so.

  • Loves Branson Hospitality and all Branson stands for

    My family and I visited your lovely city [Branson] in June of this year for the third time and rather than just making this a drive by stop we decided to stay 5 days. Needless to say the fun we had and the many things that your city offers more than took up our 5 days.

    We love your hospitality which is second to no other city we have visited in our many vacations throughout our great country and even the southern part of Canada. Thanks for being a beckon of all that has made the USA the greatest nation in the world. (Carlos, San Benito, TX)

  • Midges are wonderful – Lake Taneycomo Fishing Report Sep. 18

    Primrose and Pearl Zebra Midge

    The fishing is a little harder than normal. For what it’s worth, I believe its because of the low dissolved oxygen levels coming out of Table Rock Lake. Typically that changes when Table Rock turns over. As the following report indicates, that’s certainly not to say you won’t catch trout, just that the numbers won’t be what they typically are. On Sep. 17, I fished with my neighbor Howard from about 0700-0930. Between us we caught about 20 Rainbows, no Browns, with the biggest about 16 inches and about five in that range. Picked and rolled about eight and missed at least 15.

    We both had the best results using a size 18 Primrose and Pearl or Copper Dun Zebra Midge with the indicator set at about 2 feet. We fished in close to the bank using Orvis Fluorocarbon Mirage 6x tippet. For one of the few times this year the 100th ounce River Run Peach Furbug, from Gary’s Big Four didn’t produce but then that’s why they call it fishing instead of catching.

    Over the past week or so the midges described above have done real well when other things have not worked.

    Other Lake Taneycomo Fishing Reports


    River Run Outfitters     – For their latest fishing report click here.
    Chartered Waters Guide Service and Fly Shop .-For the latest fishing report click here.
    Lilly’s Landing – For the latest fishing report click here.
    Scotty’s Lakefrom Trout Dock – For latest fishing report click here.
    Guide Bob Klein of “Bob’s Guide Service” – The following standard default techniques produces fish routinely:

    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.

    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, bubble gum power bait, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard "Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig." which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.

    General Information on Lake Taneycomo

    Water Level Information: There is nothing that effects the fishing and the way a person fishes on Lake Taneycomo than whether or not they are running water from the Table Rock Dam. The number to call for a recorded message on current conditions is 1-417-336-5083. For on line information about water condtitions go to http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/plots/Web/tab.htm or click here.

    Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek and to fishing Lake Taneycomo for trout., Click here for an overview of these regulations

    History of Lake Taneycomo – .

    More Lake Taneycomo Information – An excellent place to get your Lake Taneycomo Questions answered, or any question relating to the fishing and other outdoor topics in the Branson area, is the “Branson Outdoors Activities Forum” which is monitored by your editor and other local outdoor enthusiasts.

  • Branson’s Titanic and Les Brown Jr. together – history, music and dance

    There’ll be dancing under the stars when Les Brown Jr. strikes up his big, 15-piece band in a special, outdoor ballroom at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri on Friday, September 22 from 7p.m. to 11 p.m. This one-night only music and dance celebration includes a 90-minute grand tour of Titanic and is specially priced at $40.00.

    One of America’s great dance bands, the Band of Renown and host/singer, Les Brown Jr. carry on the tradition of class, professionalism and fun that father Les Brown Sr. started more than six decades ago. His music defined an era just as the music played by Wallace Hartley and his Titanic Orchestra defined theirs.

    “Music is a universal language,” says Mary Kellogg Joslyn co-owner of the Titanic Museum Attraction and producer of the special “Music of Our Times” event. “It could take us on a “Sentimental Journey” in 1942 or remind us “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary in 1912. Music can mark a place in time or recall a moment or event like nothing else. Music from the World War II years and beyond will get the big-band treatment in our special tribute…it’s all danceable, singable and enjoyable.”

    As they exit the Museum Attraction, guests will step away from their 1912 experience and walk outside onto a dance floor for a romantic 1940’s evening under the stars with Les Brown Jr. and his Band of Renown.

    For advance tickets to Titanic “Music of our Times One Time Event, Friday, September 22- With Les Brown Jr.’s Band of Renown” call 417-335-4606.

    To keep the music and magic going all night, Titanic management has arranged a special “Dancing Under the Stars” room rate of $159 per night at the elegant Chateau on the Lake Resort. (Rooms may be upgraded to the next best available room type.) Chateau on the Lake will also provide shuttle service to and from the event.

  • Festival of American Music & Crafts celebrates the Glory Days of the Great American Cowboy

    Sparks fly from Black Smith’s anvil

    It must be autumn in the Ozarks. Branson’s Silver Dollar City hosts its traditional fall Festival of American Music & Crafts, Sep. 14 – Oct. 28, 2006. In addition to all the music and crafts that the festival is noted for, the heritage, history and tradition of the Great American Cowboy will also be honored.

    Along with over 300 hundred musicians and 100 crafters, the Festival of American Music & Crafts will feature trick riding and ropers, longhorn steers, and cowboy crafters displaying their unique artistry and craftsmanship. In addition, “Cowboy Entertainers,” such Sourdough Slim, Roy Rogers, Jr., Buck Taylor, who played “Newly” in the T.V. series, “Gunsmoke,” country music star Mark Chesnutt, the Sons of The San Joaquin, Clint Walker, and The Red Steagall Show, to name a few, are scheduled to appear throughout the festival.

    Some of the finest craftsmen in their respective fields will provide demonstrations, share their knowledge, and display their crafts for sale. Crafts such as Scroll Saw Art, Country Décor, Fretwork & Folk Art, Glass Blowing, Bronze Sculpting, Silversmithing, woodcarving, water color and oil painting, Wheat Weaving, Feather Painting, Knives and Tomahawks, and Fiddle making are but a few of the dozens of crafts that will be presented throughout the festival. (Click here to see a complete Schedule of Visiting Craftsmen.)

    All American Bluegrass Girl Rhonda
    Vincent performs Oct. 4-5.

    In addition to the music provided by the Cowboy Entertainers, the Festival of American Music & Crafts will have a full schedule of Traditional and Blue Grass music. There will be something for just about every musical persuasion. The Blue Grass groups, Nothin’ Fancy, The Boohers, Old School Blue Grass, Rag time pianist Don French, Six time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage represent but a few of the hundreds of visiting musicians and groups that are scheduled to perform at various times throughout the festival.

    %%%%Festival of American Music & Crafts, Sep. 14 – Oct. 28%%

    A feast fit for a cowboy!

    The food for the festival truly represents the Tastes of America. From fried catfish to Minnesota walleye, smoked turkey legs and corn on the cob to barbecued ribs, roasted prairie chicken, buffalo chile and southwestern tacos the Taste of America Menus will have a food just about any taste. Of course there will also be great American dessert standards such as peach pie, hot apple dumplings, and black berry cobbler along with a host of other dessert choices. There’s just something about a warm piece of Miner’s Big Apple with Crunchy Nuggets with ice cream. Click here for the Taste of America menus.

    The beauty of Fall in the Ozarks provide a special backdrop to the festival as guests experience sight, sound, and excitement of the festival. From sorghum making and cow milking demonstration, to music and crafts galore, from barn dancing to boot making, and so much more Silver Dollar City’s Festival of American Music & Crafts is a traditional Ozarks Fall experience not to miss.

    Throughout the festival, Silver Dollar City will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays except for Saturdays when it will be opened 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. For festival and ticket information, call 1-800-831-4FUN or visit Silver Dollar City’s website.

  • Viva La Divas Review

    The Divas Showcase their Talents

    When you hear the term “diva” do you think of Celine Dion or Dianna Ross? If you are a regular visitor to the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World” you already know that Branson has a few “divas” of it’s own. A handful of Branson’s divas decided step out on their own this season and create a brand NEW show that will showcase their individual talents.

    Viva La Diva is the vision of Branson’s undisputed Diva. Janice Copeland made her first appearance in Branson with Roy Clark in 1989. She has performed with some of the biggest names in town including Mickey Gilley, Andy Williams, Jim Stafford, and Pierce Arrow. But most will remember her from time with the hilarious Ray Stevens. At least that is where I remember her. When she would step out on the stage, you knew something special was about to happen. She has one of those voices that commands your full attention.

    The other performers in the show include Cindi Barr, Michele Sevryn, Dee Dee Hamilton and the ever-funny Harley Worthit. All are worthy Divas with impressive performance histories.

    Cindi has performed with Buck Trent and with the 70 Music Show, Arron Patrick Elvis Show, also at Thunderbird Theater, now the Moe Bandy Theater, and was part of the late 1980’s TV show You Can Be A Star. Besides Viva La Divas, she is also currently performing in Elvis and the Superstars at the Owens Theatre in Downtown Branson.

    Michele Sevryn has been in Branson form many years. One of the first big shows was a USO type show called The Golden Girls. She has also preformed with Magic of The Top Dogs, Peter Lemonjello and Larry Musgrave: The Great Pretender.

    Dee Dee Hamilton was a member of the World Famous Platters for many years. This year she finds herself a very busy woman. She lends her vocal talents to three different Branson shows. Two of those shows, Viva La Divas and a vaudeville style variety show called Blast, are part of the Showcase Theatre lineup. At noon, she is a headliner in The Ladies of Motown at the Owens Theatre.

    Finally, Harley Worthit (Perry Edenburg), the diva wanta be has been in Branson for as long as I can remember. He got started in Branson with the Plummer Show. He also pent 20 years with Presley’s. His other credits include a run with Pierce Arrow, the Splinter Middleton Show, Delene Show, and Pam Tillis. Currently, he is also doing the Keeping it Country Show at the Imax and occasionally filling in for Homer Lee at the Branson Brothers.

    You will feel like you really get to know the stars. Each presents a musical scrapbook. As the pictures of their life and family appear on the screen, they share from their heart where they are coming from. I have not seen this type of montage in a Branson show before, but it just seemed right for this production.

    In this show five Branson Divas get to showcase the talent that they have not been able to share in other venues around town. Though the show title might suggest that these ladies think themselves something special, this is not really the case. All of them seem completely grounded. They are all grateful for the opportunity to share their amazing talents with the audience.

    I do not want to mislead anyone to thinking that this is a huge multimillion-dollar production. You will not find high-tech special effects and frills. Not only did the ladies write the show, but they are also producing it using their own money. There is not a huge production company with tons of money making the endeavor. The budget is tight for this brand new show and the ladies never take things too serious. They even make reference to the low budget sets and props throughout the evening. The focus is always the talented performers.

    %%%%Viva La Divas: About The Show%%

    Which of these Divas doesn’t belong?

    In the first half of the show each performer gets an opportunity to prove themselves “diva” worthy. They all have at least one featured solo. I was amazed at the level of talent on the stage.

    My favorite segment in the first half included one of those inexpensive props. We learned the story of the most versatile cape in the costume shop. Without giving away too much, know that everyone gets a go at the cape as they sing. It is a great chance for them to show that these divas just want to have fun.

    The opening half of the show is filled with great music like: At Last, Respect, Tears of a Clown, as well as a Diva Salute to women in the armed forces including Janice singing God Bless America.

    When I was at the show (May 2006), there was a short intermission, but since then they have made some changes and there is no longer an intermission. It did give me a chance to talk with a couple of the ladies. They are all available to meet the fans and sign autographs. They said that there were several group sections in the next half. I could not wait to hear these amazing vocals combine their talents.

    As the second half got started the stage was set for the OK Corral as the ladies wrangle in a very fun country music set. Dee Dee was a little reluctant to come out in a cowboy hat and boots. Though there were no guns, there was a classic western duel between Janice and Dee Dee. You will have to decide for yourself who the winner was. You also get to hear Harley Worthit sing Feels Like a Woman, and that is worth the full admission price.

    The second half also included an inspirational gospel section with songs like Jesus Loves Me, Why Do You Sing, and Eye on the Sparrow. It ended with a spiritual called Stomp On The Enemy. I had never heard that song before, but loved their rendition.

    As the show drew to a close we began to see what the show was truly about. It is as much about friendship as anything. These ladies are not just costars, they are also true friends. As they perform, what I believe is an original song written for the show, they share their heart with the audience. This song is called I’m Beautiful, and though very funny, the message of the song is to let your inner beauty radiate until it shows on the outside.

    I had never attended a show at this theatre. I found it to be comfortable. The seats could have been a little bigger, but they were not bad. The theatre itself is very intimate, so I cannot imagine there being a bad seat in the house.

    Though the seats were okay, I was not impressed with the tech side of things. There were technical problems a couple times during the show. Tracks were used and at one point Dee Dee was not able to finish a song because of problems. Also, lights, tangled wires and equipment seemed to be visible everywhere. I know there are lots of different shows with different needs in this same space, but I was just not impressed by the way the techy things were displayed. I have a background in live theatre, my wife’s degree is in theatre. I think the sign of a good theatre is one where the show is the only focus, everything else just fades away.

    Viva La Divas is one of the many new show on the strip this season. With so many shows in town, some new and some that have been around forever, it is very difficult to decide which shows to see. I consider myself to be a cheerleader for the small shows. Yes, I love the huge productions like Kirby and Jim Stafford. But I especially like to the smaller shows in town. This is one of those smaller shows. The focus is the music and those talented performers. I know that this show will continue to get better as the season progresses and the ladies polish their act. I hope to be able to return and see the show again at the end of the season. I am willing to bet it will almost look like a different production.

    My wife and I had a great time. The audience was not very big on the day we were there, but the girls performed like it was a full house. I agreed with my wife when she said that these had to be some of the most talented ladies in Branson. What a privilege to get to see them all together in one show.

    If you can only see one show while in Branson, then I suggest that you see one of the big production shows like the Priestley’s, Kirby or Dixie Stampede. However, if you have the chance to see more than one, consider seeing the only women’s quartet in Branson – Viva La Divas.

    Viva La Divas is performed at the Showcase Theatre. The theatre is very easy to find. It is located on Hwy 76 in the Branson Mall between Wal-Mart and Jubilee Foods. The theatre is near the back of the mall, past the open-air stage. Viva La Divas is performed in the 5:30 p.m. time slot throughout the season. For more information, reserve tickets or check the show schedule call the theatre at (417) 339-1960. Tell them that Heath from the 1Branson sent you.

  • Branson skyscraper resort project needs final approval

    At its Sep. 11, 2006 meeting, by a vote of four to two, the Branson Board of Aldermen gave initial approval for the planning and zoning changes necessary for the construction of Branson’s first skyscraper, a 300 foot, 25 story building, to be constructed as part of a proposed $ 100 million multi use retail and resort complex. Proposed for construction at the junction of U.S. Highway 65 and State Highway 248 in Branson, the complex is being jointly developed by HCW Development Company, of Branson, and Evergreen Investments, of Lebanon.

    Because of a deadline to purchase the property, that the proposed complex will be located on, of Sep. 15, the developers asked the board for a “second reading”, which would have constituted final approval of the planning and zoning issues necessary for the project to proceed. After objections to the project were raised by opponents, and discussion, the board voted unanimously to delay the final vote until its Sep. 25 meeting.

    The major objections to the project relate to its compatibility with the existing Branson and the expectation of Branson’s current guests. Most were concerned with the impact of the proposed skyscraper on the areas beauty and that one of the first things that people would see as they came into Branson would be concrete and glass, not the beauty of the Ozarks. Alderman Ron Huff, who voted for the project, indicated that project like this keep Branson alive and vibrant and will become an attraction just like Branson Landing and “The Strip.”

    The proposed up scale complex would include one of the tallest buildings south of Kansas City and St. Louis containing, among other things a spa, office paces, hotel rooms, condominiums, a restaurant and bar, and parking facilities. Earlier reports also indicated that the complex would have a museum that would feature the classic car collection of Bob Plaster, one of the principals of Evergreen Investments and a restaurant, located on the 25th floor, with a water feature shooting streams of water.


  • B.J. Thomas & Billy Joe Royal “Raindrops to Boondocks” Tour –

    B.J. Thomas, one of the most recognized and respected voices of the American musical landscape, and Billy Joe Royal, best known for his country-flavored rock hit “Down In The Boondocks,” are bringing their “Raindrops to Boondocks” tour to Branson’s Welk Resort Theatre on Saturday, September 23rd at 8:00 p.m. Tickets range from $35.50 to $40.50 and are available at the Welk Resort Theatre Box Office or by phone at 417-337-7469.

    B.J. Thomas

    With over 70 million records sold, B. J. Thomas’ vocal versatility is as apparent today as it was when he recorded his first hit in 1967, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” By 1968, he recorded four gold records: “The Eyes Of A New York Woman,” “Hooked On A Feeling,” “It’s Only Love” and “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” from the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. More recently, movie-goers have heard the B.J. Thomas rendition of “Raindrops…” in the movie soundtracks of “Forrest Gump” and “Spider Man 2.”

    Thomas has impacted many areas of popular music with 14 Top-40 pop hits; 10 Top-40 country hits including “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” “Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love,” and “New Looks From An Old Lover;” five Grammy awards, two Dove awards and 15 Gold and Platinum records.

    Thomas became the 60th member of the Grand Ole Opry on his 40th birthday and in 1989 he recorded “As Long As We Got Each Other,” the theme song for the ABC sitcom “Growing Pains.” He is the only artist to successfully move to the top of three music genres — not as a crossover — but to also have crossover success.

    Billy Joe Royal

    Billy Joe Royal

    With success in both the pop and country fields, and hits that stretch from the ‘60s to the ‘90s, Billy Joe Royal continues to thrill radio listeners and concert-goers with his R&B-tinged tenor. By the age of 14, the Georgia native was a regular on the Georgia Jubilee with the likes of Ray Stevens, Jerry Reed, Joe South, Freddy Weller and regular guest stars from the Grand Old Opry. His 1965 hit, “Down In The Boondocks,” made him a teen idol and he enjoyed additional hits on the pop charts including “I Knew You When” and “Cherry Hill Park.” In the ‘80s, Royal began making his mark on country music with six well-received albums and more than a dozen hit singles including “I’ll Pin A Note On Your Pillow,” “Tell It Like It Is,” “Till I Can’t Take It Anymore,” “Love Has No Right,” and “It Keeps Right On Hurtin’.”

    Throughout his career, Royal has masterfully blended the musical styles that first excited him and his fans – a combination of influences ranging from hometown country radio shows and black gospel to Motown and the rest of the ‘60s pop explosion. His instantly-recognizable voice is still fresh and delivers the hits with flair and sincerity that make for high-powered showmanship that audiences love.

  • Will Missouri’s proposed Stem Cell Research Amendment “clone” either good law, common sense, or human beings?

    When voters go to the polls on Nov. 7 they will have an opportunity to vote on a proposal to amend Missouri’s Constitution to “allow and set limitations on stem cell research, therapies, and cures.” The Official Ballot Title of the Initiative is “Constitutional Amendment 2 – Stem Cell Initiative.” Although, as is the case with most issues, there are pros and cons, it seems that both supporters and opponents alike have forgotten the old adage attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”

    To avoid being fooled by supporters, opponents, or Old Seagulls, an examination of the information on the web sites of both those supporting and opposing the amendment could be beneficial in keeping voters from becoming “cloned drones” of one side or the other. Besides, isn’t it a voter’s responsibility to know what it is that they are voting on? A major website for supporters of the issue is www.missouricures.com and a major website for the opposition is www.nocloning.org.

    From the name of the web site, “nocloning.org,” to the very first item on the sites list of “10 Things You Should Know Before you vote in November,” it is clear that the opponents of Amendment 2 are trying to use the publics overwhelming opposition to “human cloning” to try to defeat the Stem Cell Initiative. The very first thing that opponents want potential voters to know is that “The ballot amendment seeks to protect human cloning.”

    Some might call that either misleading or deceptive. Doesn’t the Official Ballot Title for Amendment 2 state that one of its purposes is “to ban human cloning or attempted cloning?” Would not an examination of Amendment 2 itself show specific language stating, “No person may clone or attempt to clone a human being?”

    The Official Ballot Title for Amendment 2, the summary that the voters will see on the ballot as they vote, states that one of its purposes is to “ensure Missouri patients have access to any therapies and cures, and allow Missouri researchers to conduct any research, permitted under federal law.” Yet, in spite of that statement, if one goes through the entire “Missouricures.com” web site will they find even one example cited where it is alleged that Missourians don’t “have access to any federally approved stem cell cures that are available to patients in other states?”

    It’s even worse than that because the information on the website very plainly states that “The research and cures protected by the Initiative are already allowed under federal and state law.” In view of the above might not a reasonable person have a basis for believing that the official ballot language is either misleading or deceitful?

    As one works through the arguments both sides present, a couple of questions become glaringly apparent. The first would be, if it passes, will the stem cell research Amendment 2 covers bring Missouri any closer to cloning a human being, as most people interpret the term, than the average population of Rockaway Beach is to the average population of New York City? And secondly, if it does not pass, exactly what “access to any federally approved stem cell cures that are available to patients in other states,” will Missourians lose?

    Does language prohibiting any state or local law, regulation, rule, “or other governmental action” to “prevent, restrict, obstruct, or discourage any stem cell research or stem cell therapies and cures etc.” have any place in Missouri’s State Constitution? Is it even good law? What do terms like “other governmental action” and “discourage” mean? If a business applied to the state for a grant for stem cell research and the grant was either turned down or granted in an amount of less than they asked could that be interpreted as a “government action” that “discouraged” stem cell research?

    One thing for sure, once passed by the voters, it will not be them or their elected representatives who will determine how the amendment is interpreted. That will be done solely by the courts, the same courts that interpreted Missouri’s river boat gambling amendment to the point where the vast majority of Missouri’s “river boat casinos” have about as much resemblance to a river boat as Table Rock Lake does to the Mojave Desert.

  • Lake Taneycomo Fishing Report for September 2, 2006

    This report contains the Ole Seagull’s Journal, which is simply some fishing notes by Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull, who has lived on the banks of Lake Taneycomo for over 20 years and links to other major Lake Taneycomo sites.Together they provide access to the most comprehensive information on Lake Taneycomo available anywhere.

    Water Level Information: There is nothing that effects the fishing and the way a person fishes on Lake Taneycomo than whether or not they are running water from the Table Rock Dam. The number to call for a recorded message on current conditions is 1-417-336-5083. For on line information about water condtitions go to http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/plots/Web/tab.htm.click.

    The Ole Seagull’s Journal – Aug.19– Things were beautifully "ugly" click here for the complete journal entry.

    Other Lake Taneycomo Fishing Reports

    River Run Outfitters – For their latest fishing report click here.

    Chartered Waters Guide Service and Fly Shop .-For the latest fishing report click here.

    Lilly’s Landing – For the latest fishing report click here.

    Scotty’s Lakefrom Trout Dock – For latest fishing report click here.

    Guide Bob Klein of “Bob’s Guide Service” – Aug. 13– Talked with Bob on Aug 11. He has been using power eggs down near the mouth of Bull Creek because of the numbers of fish. The following standard default techniques produces fish routinely:

    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.

    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, bubble gum power bait, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard "Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig." which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.

    General Comments: Very little affects the fishing on Lake Taneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here.

    Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.

    An excellent place to get your Lake Taneycomo Questions answered, or any question relating to the fishing and other outdoor topics in the Branson area, is the “Branson Outdoors Activities Forum” which is monitored by your editor and other local outdoor enthusiasts.